Pajiba

Portishead, Third

I gotta say I didn't listen to lots of music last year, but I did enjoy Viva la Vida or Death And All His Friends. It had some pretty decent tracks. Me? Oh, I just have a nice rack.

Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew

Dillinger Four - Civil War

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Flogging Molly - Float

Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

Pussycat Dolls - Doll Domination

Wait how did that last one get on there?

16 Kanye West-808s and Heartbreaks
15 The Garlands-S/t EP
14 Kristoff Krane-This Will Work for Now
13 Titus Andronicus-The Airing of Grievances
12 Fuck Buttons-Horrsing
11 Frightened Rabbit-The Midnight Organ Fight
10 HEALTH-DISCO
09 Vampire Weekend-S/t
08 The Mountain Goats-Satanic Messiah EP
07 Girl Talk-Feed the Animals
06 Fleet Foxes-S/t
05 Coldplay-Viva la Vida or Death and All his Friends
04 Elbow-The Seldom Seen Kid
03 Santogold-S/t
02 Portishead-Third
01 Bon Iver-For Emma, Forever Ago

The Waking Eyes, Holding On To Whatever It Is
People In Planes, Beyond the Horizon
Panic At The Disco, Pretty. Odd.
Ludo, You're Awful, I Love You
Sunny Day Sets Fire, Summer Palace

Honorable mention: Baumer: Were It Not For You, Great Big Sea: Fortune's Favour, House of Heroes: The End is Not the End, Flogging Molly: Float, Mates of State: The Re-Arranger, and Dr. Horrible.

Yeah, all my music tastes pre-dated 1998.

I fell in love with Screaming for Vengeance and Piece of Mind this past year. Don't think that counts though.

Who Killed Amanda Palmer
Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog

granted, those were the only new releases I even listened to this year, but they're both awesome.

People still buy albums?

Uh-oh, we're going to have the argument from "Opening Tracks in a CD Collection" all over again.

I think I only heard two albums that came out all year, but I like them both.
Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago
Portishead: 3rd

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Sad... I mean, awesome that I don't have kids - Sad that I know that.

It's sad that you know you don't have kids? Is it better if you don't know for sure that there aren't a dozen illegitimate fatherless half-ernestos wandering around crying "are you my real daddy?" to every stranger on the street?

Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
Portishead - Third
Ben Folds - Way To Normal

I bought many more albums this year, but those are the only ones that leap to mind that were actually released this year that I found to be great. I'm sure I'm forgetting something obscure that I should mention that y'all haven't heard of (contrary to these), but I'm at work and shouldn't be pulling out my laptop and digging out the iTunes at the moment. I'm going senile.

1. The Raconteurs - Consoler of the Lonely ...made me really start to love Jack White and re-examine my prior dismissal of the White Stripes
2. The Virgins - The Virgins...oh so danceable and fun
3. Sigur Ros - Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust...the first two tracks especially are just really happy and fantastic
4. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals - Cardinology...I used to love Ryan Adams but he became so prolific a few years back I just could not keep up. He won me back with this album.
5. My favorite discovery of 2008 - the Avett Brothers...I love banjos.

I'm sad that I know that I don't have kids, because I'm an avid sperm bank donater. Since none of the 'lil buddies' took, I in turn know that I'm sterile.

I hardly ever listen to new music, but I'll 4th Dr. Horrible and chip in selected portions of Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special (specifically Little Dealer Boy & Nutmeg & There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In).

Me? Oh, I just have a nice rack.

I'd hate to have to just take your word for it, Sofi, although the way Optimus worships you it just might be true. Shadows, have you been to Chile recently? Anything to contribute?

And I suppose it would be a sperm bank donor, not a donater. Jeeze.

I bought only two, and two were all I bought.

Bach Violin Concertos & Gubaidulina 'In Tempus Praesens' - Anne-Sophie Mutter
Indestructible - Disturbed

Julie, that's why we're here.

Santogold - Santogold

Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

The Black Keys - Attack and Release

Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst

Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog

Common - Universal Mind Control

TV on the Radio - Dear Science

Kaiser Chiefs - Off with Their Heads

I can't think of one damn Heavy Metal cd that was good this year. The only one that I listened to was Wolves In The Throne Room, but I am pretty sure that was from 07'

Anyways, TV On The Radio, Fleet Foxes, Deerhunter, Fucked Up and Crystal Castles made my fave CDs of the year.

Best concert was Spiritualized at the 930.

*snicker, snicker* No really, cut it out, ernesto! My cube neighbours are pretty humourless about the joys of the miracle of babies. The jokes would not be well received....

Oh, good call jM... I'd forgotten that FotC was released this year!

I do plan on using the Pajiba reviews as references the next time I buy some albums, TK...I love to buy cd's I've only heard of through word of mouth and never listened to, it's always worked out for me. That's how I became a fan of Pavement, Arcade Fire, Wilco, Kings of Leon, Cowboy Junkies, etc etc. I love that moment of anticipation before you hit play after popping in a new cd.

In an office of ten people, three of my coworkers have had babies in the last 6 months - one woman had twins. My counterpart in the office next to mine is actually breastfeeding in our sample room as I'm typing this. Totally understand the humorless coworkers angle, which is probably why I joke about shoving babies in closets. I think on a previous thread I actually made a comment about shooting a baby to test the absorbancy of the Pajibaby bibs. Didn't realize I had so much pent up passive-aggression.

Speaking of passive-aggression,

WHERE'S MY WBNS SHIRT, ERNESTO????!?!?!?!

Teeheehee. It hasn't been that long, I know. I just don't want to do laundry.

Zing!

My partner at Overproof is going through orders right now. There's been some foul-ups recently. - Fed-Ex sucks it - their OH warehouse was flooded out and didn't tell us until a week after it happened. The e-merchant we use for orders screwed up addresses by spitting them out in wrong columns. It's a shit-storm right now. If anyone reading this is having issue, email me. We'll sort it out.

The Slip - Nine Inch Nails
Float - Flogging Molly
Who Killed Amanda Palmer - Amanda Palmer
Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog

I'm sad that I know that I don't have kids, because I'm an avid sperm bank donater. Since none of the 'lil buddies' took, I in turn know that I'm sterile.

It doesn't necessarily mean you're sterile:

1. They could have improperly froze your donation (probably out of jealousy at the sight of the immense volume)

2. It's possible that your boys are feisty and it was just all the target uteruses (uteri?) that were infertile.

3. It's also possible that not a single woman chose your sperm for implantation. Not even when they put it on year end clearance.

Or, it could just be that I filled the dishes with a mixture of Malt-O-Meal and Vaseline Intensive Care instead of an actual "sample". Yep. I'm guessing that's it.

Oh, and the Jerk-Store called...

Non metal:

Brian Eno & David Byrne: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Ra Ra Riot: The Rhumb Line
The Fireman: Electric Arguments

Metal(ish):

Amon Amarth: Twilight of the Thunder God
Ayreon: 01011001
Brave: Monuments
Oceans of Sadness: The Arrogance of Ignorance
Opeth: Watershed
Warrel Dane: Praises to the War Machine

5. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
4. Portishead - Third
3. Sam Roberts - Love At The End Of The World
2. TV On The Radio - Dear Science
1. Santogold - Santogold

With Honourable Mentions...
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah: Part 1 (4th World War)
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
Robyn - Robyn
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
Amanda Palmer - Who Killed Amanda Palmer?

There are so many more I wish I could put up here, but I'm limiting myself here.

Fall Out Boy, Foile a Deux
The Gaslight Anthem, The '59 Sound
The Hold Steady, Stay Positive
Panic at the Disco, Pretty. Odd.
Forgive Durden, Razia's Shadow: A Musical

I dunno, though, there were albums released outside of 2008 that I fell in love with, like Food & Liquor (Lupe Fiasco) & Trampoline (Steel Train).

I spent most of this year still listening to records in 2007, hopefully because it was a better year for music and not because I'm getting old and unhip. Anyway:

1). Fleet Foxes- s/t. I think I listened to this album on a loop for the entire summer and early fall.
2). Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago. This album reminds me of the feeling of being inside a warm house when there is a blizzard outside.
3). Hot Chip- Made in the Dark.
4). Cut Copy- In Ghost Colours. It was my most played spring album, I really still like "So Haunted" and "Strangers in the Wind."
5). Vampire Weekend- s/t. I'm hoping that VW has become so hated, that I can pass off my love for their album as irony. But really its fun and pretty good album.

...and boo...portishead makes me want to lick you

That's why I love you, PissBoy. Clutch makes me want to do a keg stand, run through the pit, and sit on your face all at once.

my other four picks (after my Portishead pick at number one):

5. MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
4. Neon Neon, Stainless Style
3. Santogold, Santogold
2. Erykah Badu,New Amerykah: Part 1 (4th World War)

Also, PissBoy, that Bakerton Group album is fantastic. :) Good times at the Orange Peel for that one.

Panic at the Disco - Pretty. Odd.
Alanis Morissette - Flavors of Entanglement
Alkaline Trio - Agony & Irony
The Offspring - Rise & Fall, Rage & Grace
O.A.R. -All Sides

But it was a pretty crappy year for music. My top 5 is admittedly weak.

Since everyone else has said it, I'll also throw in "Dr. Horrible", but am I the only one listening to the Commentary musical more than the actual thing? Thank God for torrents.

Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold

Kardinal Offishall - Not 4 Sale

Britney Spears - Circus

The Jonas Brothers - A Little Bit Longer

Mylie Cyrus - Breakout

I haven't bought a CD in aaaaages...not out of musical snobbery by any means, but I honestly...my university is in a weird little bubble so when you're there you're removed from modern music(film and tv is fine but music does not make it in)
Even now i've graduated i just...i dont listen to radio or watch the music channels, the only single i know thats been released recently was sung by a friend...im reading all your lists and going '....um?'
I need to get back in touch.

Low vs. Diamond - "Self-titled"
The Raveonettes - "Lust Lust lust"
Grand Archives - "Self-titled"
Darker My Love - "2"
British Sea Power - "So You Like Rock Music?"

I wish had more time at work right now to read and comment on peoples' choices. A quick scan reveals them all to be interesting.

Dustin, I love you so hard for mentioning Tennessee Pusher! I bought it with my Christmas money and I've been playing it pretty much non-stop ever since. I think my top 5 will just miss it out, though:

1. Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes
2. Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part 1 (4th World War)
3. Lupe Fiasco: The Cool
4. TV On The Radio: Dear Science
5. Santogold: Santogold

(Why do I feel like I've done this before?)

1) Why? - Alopecia
2) TV on the Radio - Dear Science
3) In Bruges Soundtrack
4) Murder By Death - Red of Tooth and Claw
5) Beck - Modern Guilt

WAITWAITWAIT

Let's bump Beck down to six and squeeze in Flight of the Conchords - s/t.

Any album that has your mother asking "What IS this?" every single time it's on is probably on to something.

Ha, jimbob, don't mistake me for an over-achiever. I'm just willfully disobedient and totally glossed over the five only rule. I think a spanking's called for.

I'm only counting albums where I love every song on them.

Girl Talk-Feed the Animals
Santogold-s/t
Vampire Weekend-s/t
Beach House-Devotion
Land of Talk-Some Are Lakes

Hon. mention, because Rhapsody's telling me I've listened to this album more than the others here, but it's been a while: Wolf Parade-At Mount Zoomer

Hey! I totally have that Flogging Molly album! I have new music!

Does it still count if I like Dropkick Murphys better?

Nada Surf - Lucky
Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Annuals - Such Fun
The Little Ones - Morning Tide

TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Bon Iver - For Emma
Jenny Lewis- Acid Tongue
Radiohead - In Rainbows (Released Jan. 1 2008 in North America)

aaaand...ermmm...Duffy? I didn't buy any other albums from '08 so I guess she'll have to do.

Ok, I'll chime in, although most of mine weren't released '08, because I'm all eclectic and shit.

Jakob Dylan - Seeing Things
Flogging Molly - Float
Leonard Cohen - The Future (amongst a couple of others)
Colin Hay - Going Somewhere (Maggie is a bloody incredible song)
Morrissey - Greatest Hits (I missed the eighties and Mrs. Stipe42 forced me to listen to enough of Morrissey to prove that not all of his music sounds like that insipid Charmed theme)

1. bon iver- for emma, forever ago
2. the kills- middnight boom
3. jenny lewis- acid tongue
4. fleet foxes- self-titled
5. beck- modern guilt

1. Cut Copy: In Ghost Colours
2. De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig: De Machine
3. Fuck Buttons: Street Horrrsing
4. Hot Chip: Made In The Dark
5. Elbow: The Seldom Seen Kid

1) Momofuku - Elvis Costello
2) Acid Tongue - Jenny Lewis
3) Fate - Dr. Dog
4) Vol. 1 - She & Him
5) Conor Oberst (self-titled)

Clutch makes me want to do a keg stand, run through the pit, and sit on your face all at once.

...why couldn't you have been with me on Saturday night then. Saw them up in Lancaster, PA. Just like always...t'was the balls.

I only purchased four albums this year - I'm definitely the kind of person who listens to music for primarily nostalgic reasons. New stuff hardly ever grabs me. But anyhooters:

1) Portishead - Third
2) Kanye West - 808s . . .
3) The Soul's Release - Somewhere Sometime
4) Bloc Party - Intimacy

85 Flood: "Toolshed Shangri-La"
FOX Japan: "Hell"
Owen Davis: "The Cigar Monologues"
Big Right Hand: "Greatest Hits"
And, of course:
DBTs: "Brighter Than Creation's Dark"

2008 was a really boring year in terms of music for me.

Sarah Bereilles - Little Voice - it wasn't released until 2008 here, so it still counts.
Kanye West - 808s & Heartbeat (~ although it barely really counts as a full Kanye album)
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular - I'm not that big of a fan, but I'm so addicted to Electric Feel.

I think there were also some good soundtracks released last year too.

Mother Mother - O My Heart

Seriously, if you have yet to hear this album, do it and do it now. Although don't be angry at me for ruining everything else you're listening to - I went through a period of music depression after a month of this because nothing sounded quite as good.

Also, Laura Marling's Alas I Cannot Swim is the album I wish I'd written.

Daily lurker...first time poster

The Black Keys - Attack & Release
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Clutch (Hometown Favorites) - Full Fathom 5
OCMS - Tennessee Pusher
Bob Dylan - Tell Tale Signs

Phew. That wasn't so bad.

From my FB/Myspace blog:
Albums (.i.e cds I actually made an effort to buy)

1. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours. They're one of my fave bands, so not too surprising they're my number one pick.

Key Tracks: "Out there on the Ice", "Far Away", and "Unforgettable Season"

2. Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires. This is my 2008 new music discovery. I'd listened to their cover of "Your Love" for over a year. Then, they got sorta lost in the noise. On a whim, I went to see them open up for The Virgins. Needless to say, I was blown away. These guys have tight, funky and dance-electric set that kept me coming back for more (4x so)!

Key Tracks: "Jump in the Pool", "Paris", and "White Diamonds".

3. The Presets - Apocalypso. More musical genius from down under! My birthday gift to my best friend was tix to their gig at the Glasshouse. After two songs, she was an instant fan. These guys are professional electronic music artists. This album is techno/electro perfection. They pump you up from start to finish. Forget Justice, it's all about these synth heroes.

Key Tracks: "My People", "A New Sky", "Kicking and Screaming"

4. Does it Offend You, Yeah? - You Have No Idea... These fellas got me excited for dance rock again. Remember that first time you heard "Banquet", but had no idea who sung that song, but you were determined to find out. That's how it was with me and DIOYY. And then I heard "Dawn of the Dead". Game, set, match. Fan for life.

Key Tracks: "Dawn of the Dead", "Let's Make Out", "We Are Rockstars"

5. Santogold - Santogold. I waited for this album with baited breath. See this girl in concert and you'll find out quick she's no M.I.A. imitator. She's the real deal. She'll make you her dance slave and be your electronic queen. For real, son.

Key Tracks: "Creator", "L.E.S. Artistes", "You'll Find a Way"

6. M83- Saturdays=Youth. I was always a bit "meh" about M83. Thought it was too instrumental. Saturdays = Youth changed my tune with a quickness. Mr. Gonzales reminds you that singles are good, but albums are better. It's a cohesive blend of gentle, synth melodies and distortion that are searching for memories of days gone by.

Key Tracks: "We Own the Sky", "Kim & Jessie"

7. Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke
8. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
9. The Teenagers - Reality Check
10. Lykke Li - Youth Novels EP

Honorable Mentions: Jamie Lidell - JIM, Hot Chip - Made in the Dark, Bloc Party - Intimacy, Hercules & Love Affair

I mean October 2007! not 2008. Thus, making MGMT ineligible.

Best album of last year?

New Wave...Against Me.

No contest. Argue with me if you want to but..if you listen to the whole disc you'll either say yeah...or being the biggest pussy on earth, tuck your nads back under your anus.